Hello and welcome to the highlights of the second T20I between India women and South Africa women at the Lalabhai Contractor Stadium in Surat.

This was Santadeep Dey bringing you all the action as it unfurled at Surat.

News from the centre:

8:05 PM: Well that is it! The match has been abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Depressing, yes... but a piping hot cuppa, in this weather, won't harm.

See you all on September 29, for the third T20I! Until then, it is goodbye from my side. However, do stay tuned to Sportstar for your regular dosage of sports.

7:30 PM: As we all eagerly wait for a hint of good news, Amol texts saying, "The rain is persistent, but the three umpires are out with umbrellas for an inspection, obviously to assess the damage to the uncovered areas of the outfield."

The next inspection is at 8 PM. *fingers crossed*

Our correspondent, Amol Karhadkar tweeted out some pictures from the venue a while ago. That just confirms my guess:

After South Africa media manager Sipokazi Sokanyile tweeted out that almost 17,000 people attended the first T20I, I have a feeling, the number is near about equal, if not more today, by the looks of it.

Hey guys! We have bad news. If my Accuweather application is to be believed, we are in for some heavy showers later in the evening, which might lead to a curtailed game.

The toss, scheduled for 6:30 PM IST, thus, becomes all the more important now. A wet outfield wouldn't be easy to tackle!

PREVIEW

India’s women cricketers commenced their final phase of the World T20 preparation on Tuesday with a win in the first game of the five-match T20I series against South Africa.

Considering the World T20 will start in Australia on February 21, captain Harmanpreet Kaur understands that the five T20Is under lights — India Women’s first floodlit outing in a bilateral series at home — will offer her and coach W.V. Raman an opportunity to test the younger talent that has been blooded in the squad.

The fact the the team has several young faces with 15-year-old Shafali Verma stealing the limelight at the onset of post-Mithali Raj era in T20Is.

The legendary Raj recently announced her retirement from the shortest format. It will be interesting to see whether the younger batters can grab the opportunity and the senior pros like Smriti Mandhana and Kaur can shoulder the additional burden against a familiar opponent.

Raman also conceded that four pacers were chosen in the squad “keeping the World T20 in mind”. It remains to be seen if a youngster like Pooja Vastrakar, who has been recalled, can put in impressive performances.